TOP 10 NYC Restaurants
Good cuisine is the best way to experience New York’s lavish spirit. Every self-respecting person values a good meal more than a whole week of vacation. People relax more and better, when having a tasty snack among their family or friends. New York has gathered strange and surprising tastes from all over the world. It’s definitely worth it to taste every single inventive dish that famous chef’s or just local cooks prepare daily.
You know what they say “Good food is good mood”
Since it is impossible to visit every restaurant in New York, you should take your chance with the most popular and exquisite places. New York has a lot to offer when it comes to high-class cuisine prepared with imagination.
In our list are 10 of the best and most famous NYC restaurants that every New Yorker has heard about. You will find some really expensive places and affordable, yet inspiring restaurants.
#1 Keen’s Steakhouse
Address: 72 West 36th St, 10018
It is impossible to go to NYC and miss Keen’s Steakhouse. Actually not planning to go to a steakhouse is almost a crime. Keen’s is a traditional restaurant with 120 years history. They serve the famous mutton chop – huge chunk of roast lamb.
Keen’s is also popular, because of its collection of 50 000 clay pipes, hanging from the ceiling. The atmosphere is quiet and with its dim lights Keen’s Steakhouse sends you back to the late 19th century. Don’t miss the Lincoln Oysters and Key Lime Pie.
Prices: Single dish is between $11 and $54
Opening Hours: Sat-Sun 5 – 9:30 pm and daily from 11:45 am to 10:00 pm
#2 Eleven Madison Park
Address: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
This restaurant is one of the finest dinning points in NYC placed at perfect spot. It is so visited, you should call several weeks in advance to reserve a table. Their kitchen is focused on local seasonal menus, offering tasting dishes.
Eleven Madison Park is the revolutionary creation of the Swiss Chef Daniel Humm – restaurant with three Michelin stars. The dishes are so delicate and complicated, they couldn’t be described with words. The interior is as classy as the food – Art Deco style, light, and simple hall, kept in formal design.
Prices: Tasting menu is $295, but it’s worth it
Opening Hours: Daily, 5:30 pm – 10 pm, Thu – Sat, noon – 1 pm
#3 La Grenouille
Address: 3 E 52nd St, New York 10022
La Grenouille is the last survivor among the once so popular French restaurants in NYC. After the downfall of the rest La Grenouille remains as last harbor for the lovers of haute cuisine. Nothing has changed since its opening in 1962 – the formal wear-black jackets and silk dresses, the tight waters and of course the traditional French menu.
Even today, in atmosphere of mirrors in golden frames, living flowers and red decoration, you can taste frogs legs, chateaubriand and classical Dover sole. La Grenouille offers also three-course menus for tastings.
Prices: Fixed menu is $138
Opening Hours: Mon 5 – 11 pm; Tue–Sat noon – 3 pm, 5–11 pm
#4 La Bernardin
Address: 155 W 51 St, 10019
Another French giant in New York! This time it serves only seafood. And still the menu is full of interesting combinations and unusual fish and caviar dishes, salads and appetizers. When La Bernardin opened in 1986 it had three Michelin stars. The restaurant survived the demise of the French kitchen and flourishes under the direction and imagination of its Chef Eric Ripert.
At La Bernardin, you can taste almost every type of edible fish or you can choose between the Chef’s and La Bernardin tastings, which are served per table. You can enjoy this sea feast at a stylish and elegant interior of leather and deco elements.
Prices: The price range for the tastings is between $190 and $120
Opening Hours: Sat 5 – 11 pm and daily 12 am-10:30 pm. Sunday is closed
#5 Bouley
Address: 163 Duane St. New York, NY 10013
Bouley breaks with the common perception of a restaurant in every way. The Chef himself – David Bouley claims he doesn’t follow recipes and this approach is visible even in the decoration. The restaurant is an interesting mix between luxury, a bit traditional of dining place design and a modern eclectic space. In the menu set some typical New York ingredients are found, such as oysters, crabmeat and lobster, surprisingly combined with apples, lemon, ginger. At Bouley you can try organic food, both cooked and raw. They are famous with the wild Alaska salmon and New York state rainbow trout.
Prices: Three course Prix Fix menus are $125 or Testing menu $185
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2:45 pm lunch and 5:30-11 pm dinner
#6 Daniel
Address: 60 East 65th Street at Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065
The restaurant of Daniel Boulud brings classic haute cuisine into modern and fresh perception for dining with style. The interior is still a bit formal, but it is reimagined to become a comfortable and cozy space. Designed in light colors it still keeps its festive character. The menu is also creative – you have a bite of Maryland Soft-Shell Crab Tempura, Pan Seared Swordfish or Citrus Cured Hamachi. And this is only part of the large list. Besides the fine dinner you can also visit their wine cellar with more than 2000 wine bottles.
Prices: Single tasting menu of seven courses is $234 and Four Course Prix Fix is $142
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30 pm -10:30 pm
#7 Jean-Georges
Address: Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
Jean-Goerges Vongerichten is a remarkable figure in the magical world of food preparation. He is in charge of numerous popular restaurants worldwide and still remains involved with the concept, menus, interior, everything needed for a perfect restaurant to be maintained. Only in NYC Jean-Georges has 11 restaurants! In his restaurant at the ground floor of the Trump International Hotel, you will see what we mean, when we say perfect.
The space is designed all in white and the cuisine is innovative mix of American, French and Asian elements – dishes like Foie Gras Brulee, Diver Scallops, Sashimi and Sea Urchin. From the roof-to-floor windows you have breathtaking view towards Central Park.
Prices: Lunch or dinner for $58 or Seasonal Tasting menu for $158
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:45 am – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 11 pm
#8 Betony
Address: 41W, 57 Str., New York, NY 10019
Betony is creation designed to bring the fine kitchen to middle-class people. It has a great location in Midtown and enough fame to gather plenty of guests. It is brought to life by two former Eleven Madison Park old grads, who decided to run this place in high level, but with more flexibility.
Betony besides with the haute cuisine is famous for their cocktails, which can be tasted even while having dinner. Don’t be misled by the fact that Betony has only one Michelin star. In fact maybe this is the reason why it is so loved and popular in NYC.
Address: 4-Courses $110, Chef’s Tasting $215, Tasting Pairings $130
Opening Hours: Mon-Fr 12:00 am – 2 pm, Mon-Sat 5:30-10:30 pm
#9 Sushi Yasuda
Address: 204 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
Sushi Yasuda is a whole new level of sushi preparation. Chef Yasuda insists every piece of fish is cut just before serving, in order to keep its unique taste and beautiful form. The taste of the dishes is balanced and simple. Everything in Sushi Yasuda is about precision which is their mission. The interior is calming and minimalistic, designed to relax and focus your thought on food.
Prices: Main course about $25, Appetizers about $7
Opening Hours: Mon-Fr 12:00 am-2:15 pm, 6-10:15 pm
#10 Estela
Address: 47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
Estela looks like an average buzzy local restaurant, but when you receive your plate you see that there is nothing average about it. Chef Ignacio Mattos cooks extraordinary minimalist dishes with widespread products. What is special about them? The combination of course! Just take a bite of one of these: Beef tartare with sunchoke, Oysters with yuzu kosho mignonette, Swordfish with heart of palm and Meyer lemon and many more delights.
Prices: Single plate about $28 and normal price for dinner is around $40
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 5:30 – 11 pm and Sat-Sun 11:30 am – 3 pm
You can enjoy your meal even more when you have spent a day on one of our Central Park Pedicab Tours. Don’t miss out to read more about the best budget-friendly hotels in the Big Apple, as well!
